scha·den·freu·de : [German] The joy derived from another person’s misfortune.

Is this a statement on the proliferance and popularity of online videos of people getting hurt? Or just a fun song with a train? You decide…

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This bassline has been under my fingers for a long time, often pulled out at guitar stores or whenever someone asks for a bass solo (as if that ever happens!) The theme of the song was inspired by a certain politician getting Covid after refusing to wear masks or distancing, and then ending up in hospital. 

 

Those lyrics are just a little too political to make it into the final song, but was the founding idea that became what you hear today. Some parts of the verses may be based on real events, others may not. You'll have to guess which is which.

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The drums where recorded by Ajay, an internet mate back in Australia. I felt the chorus could really work with a native German speaker for emphasis (and to make sure the pronunciation is correct!), so got another internet friend, Ady (from Hit the Road Music), to sing this for me.

 

I need to add more about Ady. He is a legend! He spent the last few years travelling around Morocco in a tiny RV, with a whole lot of gear, intent on recording local musicians playing traditional and not-so-traditional music. His adventures, and the performances he captured, are fantastic. So, please, head over to his YouTube Channel and check him out!

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Anyway, after getting Ady to lay some tracks down, and adding some subtle sound effects, the song became what it is today. And those original lyrics? Well, they may or may not make it into the live show...

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Written, performed, recorded, and mixed by OziBatter, 2021. Drums hit and recorded by Ajay Hazzard from Hazzard Sounds, Guest vocals by Ady from Hit the Road Music